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nature
play
education
rooted in imagination
Ferntop Nature Preschool is a unique, Christ-centered preschool, licensed by the state of Tennessee, on an eight-acre farm in rural Williamson County. Our students enjoy the benefits of an entirely outdoor education.
UPCOMING EVENTS
The Homestead Festival
Held on Rory Feek’s historic farm outside Columbia, TN, this festival connects the art of homesteading with musical performances for an all-in-one weekend of inspiration and entertainment.
Clare Nugent, owner and founder of Ferntop, is pleased to join the Homestead Festival lineup, as she unfolds the story of Ferntop through stories and songs.
June 3 & 4, 2022
Patterns of Play Camp (for adults)
Come and join author, designer and lecturer Dr. Sandra Duncan and Naturalist/Teacher Clare Nugent for PATTERNS OF PLAY CAMP. Our days will be a delightful combination of talks and experiences surrounded by the inspiring spaces of Ferntop Nature School. Participants will engage in these nature based experiences using three new pedagogical practices designed especially for fostering children’s mental models or schemas.
July 22-23, 2022
Summer Camp
Camp Sessions -
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The Big Farm Adventure - June 20-23
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The Big Creek Adventure I - June 27-30
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The Big Art Adventure - July 5-8
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The Big Creek Adventure II - July 11-14
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The Big Garden Adventure - July 18 -21
ENROLLMENT 2022-23
To add your child's name to our waiting pool, please schedule a visit!
OUR VALUES
Ferntop is built on these values and it is through these values that we view education:
Empathy
We work to understand and share feelings. We cultivate empathy within the context of the natural world, teaching children that they are caregivers, and their loving attention makes a difference.
Community
We share this inspiring and loving space with one another, and grow together; emotionally, cognitively, spiritually and physically, as our eyes are open to the world God has made.
Wonder
Because God has given us such rich imaginations, we are able to delight and become connected to all that is around us. Our wonder drives our questions, our play and learning.
Play
Play is at the heart of all we do. We see play as the most important task a child has. Children make sense of their world through play, and development, on every level, is enriched by play.